Bikov

Which schools will you suggest me to apply to? I have already realized that getting into a top 5/10 Math department is based on luck and of course the recommendations I have. That was the reason why I was thinking of going to Utrecht first because it is definitely more popular than Sofia University and has more contacts with American universities. But know I'm considering the idea of applying to USA schools during my senior year at Sofia more seriously. What advise can you give me about funding?

They offer housing and a stipend but only to US citizens. The only program I have found that may offer funding for international students is Williams College SMALL Undergraduate Research Project. I don't know about others like this one. Are such programs very competitive? When do you think it is better to apply - after my second or third year?

We have the Fulbright Scholarship which is a good option but one of its requirements is to come back to your country after you have finished your education in US. However, as I said I want to become a professor in the USA. I have already been thinking about contacting the grad schools but don't you think it's too early in my case? I don't know if they will give me some appropriate information which is very likely to be changed in a couple of years' time. About the summer programs, I have found some REUs in the USA which do not require to be an American citizen, but the problem is again connected with funding. I am not sure if the president of my university will be willing to pay for all.

Except I hope for a good funding, I do not know what else I can do. I don't know any other outside sources of funding for international students. Besides, do you know any research projects or internship programs during the summers in US (or abroad) where foreign students may take part?

The fact is that as a student who studies Math in Bulgaria, I have to study ONLY Mathematics. I mean that all the courses which are compulsory for me to be taken are only in Math. Our system is different from yours. That's why I've heard that foreigners have higher scores on GRE Math Subject than Americans because of the fact that you should take classes on other subjects. Moreover, the quality and level in my university is very high and all the material is taught on a very professional level. I don't know if it is true but I've heard that you (Americans) emphasize on solving problems and spend less time on proving theorems. However, it is compulsory for me to be able to prove every theorem I use or I have been taught. Do you mean that even at Harvard will be impressed by the broad spectrum of my bachelor degree?

Hello, everyone! Here are the questions I'm concerned with. I'm an international student. Now I'm a freshman at Sofia University in Bulgaria. The department of mathematics and informatics is the best in the country (and not only) but it is hardly popular around the world. The entrance exams are really tough and the curriculum is very strong. You can compare it with the best mathematics departments in Russia. I have already decided that I want to do Phd in Math (particularly, some kind of geometry) in the USA and become a professor of Math in an American university. However, I was wondering if my bachelor degree will be strong enough to be accepted to a good math department in US. That's why I want you to see my future study plan- all the courses I plan to take. Imagine I have taken them all with exellent grades (I CAN do it). Will I be competitive enough in this way? I know that other factors as GRE, letters of recommendation, personal statement are also very important but at this time I'm wondering about my curriculum? Won't it be better to do a master degree first (probably in Utrecht Uni, the Netherlands) and then apply for PhD in the USA. Do you think that I will have even a little chance to be accepted to Harvard, MIT, Princeton or some other top-tier university? This year I started studying about GRE General so I think that in two years' time I'll have good scores not only in the quantitative part. I plan to take the GRE Math Subject during my junior year. I hope you give me some advice about what it'll be good to achieve in the next years in order to be accepted to a very good university in the USA. I year: Linear Algebra Analytical Geometry Differential & Integral Calculus I & II Abstract Algebra I Introduction to Programming CS Practicum I Subject of Geometry (topics: Erlangen Program of geometry; Geometry of Lobachevsky) Selected Topics in Elementary Mathematics (topics: plane & solid geometry; combinatorial problems in the Number Theory) II year: Abstract Algebra II Mathematical Analysis I & II Differential Equations Data Structures & Programming CS Practicum II Geometry & Topology Introduction to Functional Analysis Advanced Calculus I & II - workshop (based on problems given on mathematical competitions) Differential Geometry Numerical Analysis Discrete Mathematics Introduction to Number Theory Introduction to Analytic Number Theory III year: Analytical Mechanics Complex Analysis Mathematical Logic Partial Differential Equations Lie Algebras & Groups Geometrical Probabilities & Integral Geometry Mathematical Programming Introduction to Mechanics of Continua Probability Theory I Complex Analysis of Several Variables Commutative Algebra Functional Analysis - seminar IV year: Geometry of manifolds Elements of Algebraic Geometry Homological Algebra Probability Theory II Algebraic Topology & Differential Forms General Topology Hyperbolic Equations & Systems Geometry & Mathematical Physics - seminar Finite Geometries Riemannian Geometry, Bochner Techniques & Vanishing Theorems Theory of Groups Descriptive Geometry Preparation for the final state graduate exam Thank you in advance!